Myles' grandad told prop he wasn't up to scratch

AFTER admitting his NRL form last season was substandard, Nate Myles has placed Manly ahead of his beloved Queensland and Australia this season.

Asked how he described his 2016 season at Brookvale, a candid Myles said: "S***house. Am I allowed to say that?"

In fact, at one point during the season, Myles' own grandad told him his form wasn't good enough to make the Maroons Origin side.

Myles' honest self-reflection underlines the thoughts of many Sea Eagles fans who were underwhelmed with his performances.

"Not up to standard for what this club is known for and what I am here for. Well below par," he said.

"I'm not sure (why). I have been asked before. If I had the magic recipe for it, I would happily share it with you and probably a couple of others."

Asked had he set himself for Origin and the World Cup, Myles said: "No, I haven't, I'll be totally honest with you. Rep footy isn't my goal this year. This club is ... and the way that our form is.

"I have been very lucky for what I have been able to achieve. But, for me now, it's about focusing on club footy.

"I'm not ruling myself in (of rep footy), I'm not ruling myself out of anything, but my focus is Manly. Run that cliche if you want but that's where it is. We're not going past next Sunday against Parramatta.

"This year, I am excited to get into it because of the way things panned out last year. It goes back to breaking things down to a simpler way. I don't think anything goes past running hard and tackling hard."

Myles remains an elite forward who has thrived for more than a decade at club and representative level. He has been an integral part of the Queensland side that has secured 10 of the past 11 Origin series.

But even a player of Myles' experience still sets goals each season.

"Yeah, for sure, you've got," Myles said. "Even the pre-seasons, if you don't have a goal, or set the standards you want for yourself, you find it hard and can easily get lost in what you're doing, he said.

"I've got my goals but I will definitely keep them to myself. But I will make sure I am trying to get them. Our coaching staff have been pretty strict in regards to our goals and targets with each individual. My goals are more mental than anything. Physically, I have been training for 15 years and I haven't seen much difference to the body.

"Simple things like trying to get something out of every session. Don't try and coast through a session. Making sure you get the most out of everything. You don't want to miss an opportunity.

"I really like the way our guys have approached things this year. That comes from training sessions, weights sessions, everything the boys are going into they are giving it their all."